Why the curtain on the Xiaomi phone does not fall: all the reasons and solutions

Introduction: Why the Notification Curtain Can "jamm"

You try to check notifications, but the curtain on Xiaomi doesn't go down -- no swipe down, no gestures? -- This problem is found on both newer models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13) and 2018-2022 devices (Mi 9, Redmi 7). Causes range from a banal system failure to a physical display breakdown. In 80% of cases, the problem can be solved on your own without visiting a service center.

In this article, we’ll look at all possible causes, from software bugs to mechanical damage, and give step-by-step diagnostic and repair instructions. We’ll focus on the hidden MIUI settings that can block swipes, and hardware malfunctions that require wizard intervention. If your Xiaomi doesn’t respond to touching just at the top of the screen, that’s one scenario, if the curtain doesn’t open at all (even through buttons) is another.

1. Software failures: When MIUI is to blame

In 60 percent of cases, the problem is in MIUI firmware or application conflicts, and the failures can manifest themselves in different ways:

• 📱 The curtain opens, but closes immediately.
• 🔄 Swipe down is running once again.
• 🚫 The curtain doesn't respond at all, but the rest of the gestures work.

The first thing you need to do is reboot your phone, press the power button for 10 seconds until the shutdown menu appears. If that doesn't work, check:

• 🔄 System Updates: Go to Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI. Older firmware often conflicts with new applications.
• 📦 Conflicting applications: Remove recently installed programs (especially launchers or optimizers).
• 🔧 Resetting gesture settings: in Settings → Additionally. → Special facilities → Gestures reset the settings to factory.

If the crashes started after the MIUI update, try to roll back to the previous version.

1. Download the firmware archive for your model from the official Xiaomi website (Downloads → Archive section).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of the phone’s memory.
3. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
4. Select Install update.zip and confirm the rollback.

💡

Before rolling back the firmware, back up your data through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. Reset wipes user files!

2. MIUI settings that block swipes

MIUI has hidden features that can turn off gestures at the top of the screen, such as Left-handed or Safe Zone mode for gaming.

Also check if Do Not Disturb mode is activated (Settings → Notifications → Do Not Disturb) and in some versions of MIUI, it blocks not only sounds, but also access to the curtain.

Check the left-handed mode |

Turn off the safe zone |

Make sure the notification panel is on |

Turn off the "Do Not Disturb" mode"-->

Hardware problems: when the display or sensor is to blame

If the software methods did not help, the problem may be a physical malfunction:

• 🔧 The sensory layer is damaged (for example, after falling or getting moisture).
• 🔌 Display plume is a common problem after disassembling the phone.
• 📱 Wear of touch screen (relevant for devices older than 3-4 years).

How to check:

1. Try opening the curtain through the notification button (if it is on the navigation bar).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and check if the top of the screen responds to touches in ADB: adb shell getevent -l If the swipe coordinates are not fixed, the sensor is faulty.
3. Light a flashlight at an angle on the screen: if you see rainbow spots or cracks, the sensor is damaged.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone falls or gets wet, don't try to disassemble it yourself. AMOLED-screens (e.g. Mi 11, Redmi) K50) plumes are extremely fragile - they are easy to damage with careless disassembly.

4. Conflict with shell or launcher

Third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Apex) or MIUI themes can overlap gestures.Symptom: The curtain does not open, but operates in safe mode.

How to diagnose:

1. Press the power button and hold the power off to enter Safe Mode.
2. Try to open the curtain. If it works, it's third-party software.
3. Return to normal mode and remove recently installed launchers or themes.

If you use MIUI with a custom theme, reset it:

1. Go to Settings → Screen → Themes.
2. Choose a standard theme (Default or MIUI).
3. Reboot the phone.

💡

Safe mode is the fastest way to check if third-party software is to blame, and if the curtain is running on it, the problem is not the hardware.

5. firmware damage or virus attack

Rarely, the curtain does not open because of:

• 🦠 Viruses that block system gestures (for example, Trojans of the Android.Triada family).
• 🔧 Damaged firmware after a failed update or rooting.
• 📱 Conflict with Magisk or Xposed (if the phone is rooted).

How to treat:

1. Check for viruses through Malwarebytes or Dr.Web.
2. If the phone is rooted, remove Xposed modules or disable Magisk.
3. Perform a reset to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings).

⚠️ Warning: If the reset didn't work and the phone is rooted, it's likely that the system partition is damaged, and then only a full-format Fastboot flashing will help.

6. When to contact the service center

If none of the methods worked, the problem is hardware.

• 🔧 The curtain does not open even after resetting the settings.
• 📱 The top of the screen does not respond to touch at all (including other apps).
• 💧 The phone fell into the water or was hit hard.
• 🔌 Artifacts appeared on the screen (stripes, flickering, broken pixels).

Cost of repair:

For Xiaomi with AMOLED-screens (Mi 12, Redmi) K60) We recommend you to contact official service centers - poor-quality repairs can lead to problems with the display (for example, to burn-in effect).

FAQ: Frequent questions about a broken curtain